Bill Clinton said former president George H.W. Bush will help fix damage done to America's reputation by his son, George W. Bush.

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina (CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton said Monday that the first thing his wife Hillary will do when she reaches the White House is dispatch him and his predecessor, President George H.W. Bush, on an around-the-world mission to repair the damage done to America's reputation by the current president - Bush's son, George W. Bush.

"Well, the first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again," Clinton said in response to a question from a supporter about what his wife's "number one priority" would be as president.

A spokesman for the George H. W. Bush said Tuesday afternoon the former president supports his son's foreign policy and has "never discussed an ‘around-the-world-mission’ with either former President Bill Clinton or Sen. Clinton." (Click here for the full statement)

Clinton and the elder Bush, rivals in the 1992 presidential election, have grown chummy in recent years, often traveling and appearing at public events together. In 2005, they started a charity to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

UPDATE: The Republican National Committee issued this statement in response to Clinton's comments:

"In 2009, a Republican president will be working with our friends and allies abroad to continue to keep our nation safe," said RNC spokesman Danny Diaz. "The American people expect our leaders - both current and former - to present serious solutions to the very real challenges confronting our nation."

soundoff(836 Responses)

The Clintons want the world to know that when they're back in power, America will be "open for business and cooperation again". No wonder the world loves this guy. Got a serious problem with the USA? No sweat. Bill's "open for business" wink, nudge. Just ask the Chinese. I hope GHWB stiff arms this clown publicly.

In spite of that:
1) Unemployment the lowest
2) GDP growth the greatest
3) DJIA over 13,400
4) More money in circulation than at any time
5) 50 million people freed in Iraq/Afgahanstan
6) Lybia no longer terrorist state
7) Military rebuilt after being cut in 6 years by Clinton
8) All of this in spite of the fact the mainstream media
has done nothing but report only the bad news and instead of reporting once, continues to pound taking good news and making it bad.
Proof that happened?
http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert153.shtml

Ladies and Gentlemen, the elites are preparing the "hand off" right before your eyes. Is this what we have come to? Dynastic succession? There is only one man worthy of the position by sacrifice and experience. His name is John McCain. If Hillary is elected, we shall become Mexico North. Bush Sr. and Bill obviously admire the Caudillo form of government. Democracy is so...messy! How much easier it is to simply...rule! Wake up people! You elect Hillary, you do not elect a President of a Republic, you elect a Queen and she shall be anything but a benevolent monarch.

No one should vote their gender or race! It's issues. I will vote for anyone that will enforce our borders and immigration laws and stop sending our jobs overseas!
No more Parties for me...it's issues!

So if I read your comments correctly, i.e., that you don't like candidates that are "Pro-War and Pro-Corporation", we should stop fighting our enemies and shut down corporations. Please explain what the country would turn out to be like then? I'm guessing you'll be riding your goat to your family owned business with your wife walking 10 paces behind you in a head scarf, no?

Bill should not speak for George Sr. Hillary is a very BAD choice if you are serious about the future of America. America is best served by taking a strong stance against terrorists. I will elect the best person for this job and I am not hearing solutions from Hillary, Obama or Edwards. You will not get my vote unless you have a plan. Complaints about past mistakes are not a plan. We need to solve this issue before all other issues become relevant. Iran, N. Korea, Russia and China are all watching... waiting... and planning our end. Turning our backs on this fact is allot like leaving your doors unlocked at night in a crime filled neighborhood. All other issues can wait, this issue cannot!

leave our tv tuned to cnn all day. If the NEGATIVE remarks do not stop toward Hillary Clinton msnbc will need to be my choice. Why do ALL you select her as your choice to hurt. Are you opposed to females'in office????

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Not at all...we are opposed to known liars ,cheats a smear masters being elected..NO HILLATY IN 2008.

This assumes that there is damage. Again no specifics from either Clinton. What is the specific damage and what specifically are you going to do to fix it. If you have not measurable action plan you just have noise.

Last time 'America was open for business Bill decide that China should be sold our ballistic missile technology. This minimally helped them jump ahead almost 20 years and their ally North Korea is firing off longer and longer range missiles. Coincidence? Why anyone keeps listening to Clinton’s fact d’ jour must mean they like to listen and read fiction. The good news is that if you do not like the fiction it will change more than one time in the future.

The fact is that the more we look to government in almost any area to help us, fix things, make things fair etc, they have and continue to do an abysmal job.

The Constitution requires the government to protect our boarders and run the courts. After that, everything else is optional. The candidate who can, not just promise to role back government, regardless of party, gets my vote.

Highly ironic. In light of the fact that W Bush has successfully dealt with the dire consequences of 8 years of Bill Clinton's ineffectual governance, Mrs. Clinton proves once again why she has become the Leona Helmsley of politics.

"Back to the Future"? Send Bill home as he's killing the campaign. George H.W. Bush will be out of office 20 years on January 21, 2009. Like the son or not, Bush senior had his moments, but enough. Bill's seeing stars or is he grasping at straws?

Both Clintons' holiday prayer"

"Oh help save us, George the Father, George the Son and Jeb the Holy Ghost".